Don't blame the 49ers for seeking greener pastures. Monster Park, almost a half-century old, requires extensive maintenance to remain even marginally operational. Years of promised but failed attention by the City and County of San Francisco has resulted in the current crisis of the 49ers negotiating to move the team to Santa Clara. San Francisco's failure to live up to its contractual obligations does not speak well for the city as a landlord.

As the president of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission from 1992 through 1996, I spent four years dealing with broken bathrooms, flooded parking lots, dysfunctional elevators and escalators, along with other mechanical breakdowns in a poorly designed and antiquated facility. The commission was responsible for dealing with the stadium, then known as Candlestick Park. I am quite aware of the commitment the city made in the 1985 amendments to the lease, which state that the "City shall maintain the stadium in good order and repair in accordance with the maintenance manual to be prepared by Crosby, Thornton & Marshall, Architects. It is the City's obligation to keep in good order and repair any and all improvements as specified."

Unfortunately, the maintenance program was never implemented and the maintenance budget was never funded in accordance with the lease agreement. The 49ers, through stadium rent, ticket taxes, parking revenues and other sources, generated ample funds necessary to fulfill the city's obligation. However, these funds were routinely redirected to other city departments as a result of budget decisions. My commission sought alternate sources of revenue, including naming rights to the stadium. It is unfortunate that the city has lost an opportunity to host the 2016 Olympics, but it has also forfeited the opportunity to host a Super Bowl. Along with members of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, I traveled to Chicago in 1995 to lobby for a San Francisco Super Bowl, which would have represented hundreds of millions in revenue to the city's hotels, restaurants, and other services. I represented the city's commitment to spend $35 million for maintenance upgrades necessary to meet the minimal National Football League standards required to host a Super Bowl.

We succeeded in obtaining the right to host Super Bowl XXXIII, but the Brown administration later changed course and decided that rather than spend $35 million to $50 million on a Band-Aid repair, the city would assist in constructing a new stadium complex. Things have apparently remained static, as it is now more than 10 years since the city lost the opportunity to host the Super Bowl, and more than 20 years since the maintenance manual was developed in accordance with the amendments to the lease, yet it still remains unfulfilled.

It is about time to stop demonizing the 49ers and commence good faith negotiations designed to keep this valuable franchise in San Francisco, where it belongs. The team's departure means the loss of hundreds of jobs and its participation in many community projects. Mayor Gavin Newsom may have inherited this mess, but he now has an opportunity and an obligation to help clean it up. He should consider directing the millions of dollars in diverted maintenance funds, along with other resources, to develop a new facility worthy of San Francisco and appropriate for this five-time Super Bowl champion. Negotiate in good faith, build it and they will stay.